SANTA CLARA — Colin Kaepernick's whirlwind offseason is over. The proof: he was wearing clothes, specifically a white T-shirt and gold football pants on the 49ers' practice field.

Kaepernick and the 49ers' other quarterbacks reported Friday with rookies and select veterans for training camp, while all veterans aren't due in until Wednesday.

"He's had an outstanding offseason," coach Jim Harbaugh said. "We've talked about it many times — his work ethic and what he does here and his preparations, it's top notch. This offseason has been outstanding in that regard."

Kaepernick's offseason has also been quite busy away from the 49ers' facility.

He's attended award shows, worked out with teammates in Atlanta (and first lady Michelle Obama at a Chicago event), hosted a charity golf tournament and picked up endorsement deals with Jaguar among other companies. Nothing signified his growing exposure, however, more than his semi-nude photos for ESPN The Magazine's body issue.

"As far as I know, he likes to get his picture made, just like I do," Harbaugh said.

Recent pictures of Kaepernick in a Miami Dolphins cap sparked a firestorm on social media.

Harbaugh's response to the Dolphins cap caper: "I know Kap, and I know where his allegiances lie. They lie with us. I chalk that (controversy) up to a slow time in the media cycle."

Advertisement

With camp opening, the time now is for teammates to again take up-close notice of Kaepernick, who is entering his first full season as the starter after leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl as Alex Smith's replacement for the final 10 games.

Kaepernick briefly worked out on his own after practice, pulling weights from a chain tied to his waist. He did not speak to reporters afterward and instead sprinted past them to the locker room.

Rookie quarterback B.J. Daniels said Kaepernick's arm strength is what's amazed him most. "He can really throw the football," Daniels said. "He can spit it, he can thread it into some very tight spaces.

"He's a great athlete and throws the ball around everywhere," rookie linebacker Corey Lemonier said.